Tube compressor having incremental steps of flow adjustment



G. K. BURKE .Fan. 24, 1967 TUBE COMPRESSOR HAVING INCREMENTAL STEPS OF FLOW ADJUSTMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25, 1964 INVENTUR GEORGE K. EURKE ATTORNEYS w m. i fi? BURKE 3,299,904

TUBE COMPRESSOR HAVING INCREMENTAL STEPS OF FLOW ADJUSTMENT Filed April 23, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet I 1 n l I INVENTOR GEORGE K. BURKE V2. '28 X BMgL gW-JW ATTORNEYS United States PatentOfiice 3,299,964 Patented Jan. 24, 1967 The present invention relates to new and novel flow regulating apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus which is especially adapted for use with flexible tubular members to control liquid flow therethrough.

In certain applications such as when giving intravenous injections to patients in hospitals and the like, it is necessary to provide flow regulating apparatus in association with the tubular conduit means conducting the intravenous fluid which is adapted to control the rate of flow through the conduit means.

It is apparent that in many instances as where blood or a special fluid is being fed into the bloodstream of a patient, it is necessary to very accurately control the rate of flow of liquid in order to avoid an improper rate of flow which may result in serious consequences to the patient.

In many situations, the desired rate of flow for a particular solution is well recognized. This rate of flow may vary as for example according to the age of blood which is being fed into the bloodstream, or various other factors may enter into this consideration. It is accordingly a principal feature of the present invention to provide means which enables the flow rate through an associated flexible tubular member to be accurately adjusted and further to permit such flow rate to be adjusted in certain incremental steps.

After the apparatus has been set in a desired operative position, it is also important to provide a means for positively maintaining the apparatus in this adjusted position thereby preventing accidental displacement of the adjustment which obviously can create very undesirable end results. The present invention accordingly employs an arrangement wherein the operating means which comprises the movable portion of the adjusting apparatus may be positively locked in operative position to prevent such accidental displacement, and yet which at the same time permits the operating means to be moved to a new setting when so desired without requiring an excessive amount of manual eilort.

Means is also incorporated in the apparatus of the present invention to form a limit stop means for limiting the movement of the operating means between a full open position and a full closed position.

The present invention incorporates a body means employing a pair of separate members which can be readily assembled in operative position relative to an associated flexible tube by snapping the two portions of the body means in operative position. When snapped into operative position, the two portions of the body means are positively locked together. Once the two portions of the body means have been snapped together, the assembly cannot easily or readily be disassembled or become damaged. The parts cannot accidentally become lost or separated, and the construction is such that it is readily adapted to resist rough handling or extreme climatic conditions without in any way imparing the normal function of the apparatus. Means is also provided in the form of aligning means to ensure that the two portions of the body means are assembled in proper relationship with respect to one another. This aligning means additionally serves to ensure that the two portions of the body means do not have undesired movement therebetween during operation of the apparatus thereby maintaining the dimensional gaps within the apparatus at the desired sizes as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

The operating means employs a tube engaging means having spaced portions which are adapted to engage a flexible tube disposed within the body means, and the body means itself includes an inwardly extending projection adapted to cooperate with the spaced portions on the tube engaging means for clamping a tube therebetweenand for obtaining the desired degree of restriction of flow through the tube.

Suitable indicia are provided on the exterior of the "body means which are adapted to cooperate with the operating means whereby a person utilizing the device is enabled to 'visibly ascertain the setting of the apparatus. Suitable scales may also be formed on the outer surface of the body means such that the rate of flow may be determined in accordance with the setting indicated by the indicia of the apparatus. These scales may be of such a nature as to enable a person to determine the proper setting for various types of liquids to be fed through the apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and novel flow regulating apparatus which is particularly adapted for use with flexible tubular members to. control liquid flow therethrough.

Another. object of the invention is the provision of flow regulating apparatus including means for accurately adjusting the flow rate through an associated tubular member in certain incremental steps.

Still another object of the invention is to provide flow regulating apparatus including means for positively maintaining the apparatus in an adjusted position and to prevent accidental displacement of a desired setting.

Still another object of the inevntion is the provision of flow regulating apparatus including limit stop means to limit the movement of the operating means of the apparatus between the full open position and the completely cut off position.

A further object of the invention is to provide flow regulating apparatus including a body means formed of a pair of separate members which can be readily assembled in operative relationship with respect to an associated flexible tube by snapping the two portions of the body means together, these portions of the body means including aligning means for assuring correct assembly thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of flow regulating apparatus which is quite simple, compact and inexpensive in construction, and yet which is quite .efficient and reliable in use. Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the, specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the flow regulating apparatus of the-present invention illustrated in assembled operative relationship with respect to a flexible tube;

FIG. 2 is" a top view of the flow regulating apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a'side view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 88 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 10 is a top view of a modified form of the invention being broken away and illustrating a different form of cam means.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and as seen particularly in FIG. 1, the general assembly of the present invention includes a body means comprising first and second body portions 12 and 14 respectively which are adapted to be snapped together as hereinafter described, a movable operating means indicated generally by reference numeral 16 being supported by the body means, and an elongated flexible tube being indicated generally by reference numeral 18. It should be understood that the tube 18 as referred to herein comprises a conventional tubular member formed of a suitable plastic substance or rubber-like composition which is generally employed in the art for giving intravenous injections and the like. This tube is of such a nature as to be compressed between different portions of the apparatus so as to restrict the flow of liquid through the tube, the apparatus being adapted to allow free flow through the tube or to completely cut off flow through the tube when the apparatus is in the closed position.

The various components of the apparatus of the present invention including the first and second body portions as well as the operating means may be formed of a suitable relatively rigid substance such as high impact styrene plastic which may have a certain degree of resiliency thereto in order to allow the components to operate in the manner as described hereinafter.

The first body portion 12 includes a central support portion or cylindrical boss 20 having a bore 22 formed therein, this support portion serving to pivotally support the operating means hereinafter described.

vided with a pair of cutout portions 30 and 32 which are adapted to receive the flexible tube 18 extending through the body means. A thin wall portion 34 is provided at one side of the body portion 12 and an inwardly extending tapering projection 36 is formed substantially midway along wall portion 34. This' projection 36 is adapted to engage the wall of the tube as seen in FIG. 6, and the thin wall portion 34 is sufficiently resilient to permit a certain amount of give so that there is no danger of any of the components being broken when the flexible tube is being clamped between the tube engaging means of the operating means and the projection 36.

A first pair of aligning means in the form of two upwardly extending projections 40 and 42 are formed integral with body portion 12, and a second pair of similar upwardly extending projections 44 and 46 are provided at the opposite side of body portion 12, it being noted that the latter two projections 44 and 46 are spaced apart from one another a substantially greater distance than are the first-mentioned projections 40 and 42. This arrangement assures that the two halves of the body means can only be assembled in a single desired relationship as will be apparent. It is also noted that the two upwardly extending projections 44 and 46 are positioned adjacent a pair of cutout lightening areas 50 and 52 provided in the wall of body portion 12.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 6, a pair of downwardly extending sloping side surfaces 60 are formed at the opposite sides of body portion 12, these surfaces being formed adjacent the cutout areas 30 and 32 which receive the flexible tube. As seen particularly in FIG. 4, it will be noted that each of these side wall portions 60 tapers downwardly and outwardly as seen in cross section, and the body portion 12 is cut back immediately beneath the side surfaces 60 to define a pair of lock shoulders 62 one of which is seen in FIG. 4, it being understood that a similar lock shoulder is disposed in opposing relationship at the other side of the body portion 12.

The second body portion 14 comprises a substantially flat body having a plan configuration substantially identical to the outer configuration of the lower body portion 12. The upper body portion 14 includes a pair of depending locking arm portions 70 disposed at opposing sides thereof and being tapered on the inner surfaces thereof so as to fit snugly along the tapered outer surfaces 70 formed on the body portion 12.

As seen particularly in FIG. 4, each of the locking arm portions 70 has a laterally extending lock portion 72 extending inwardly from the lower end thereof, a curved outer cam surface 74 being formed on the outer surface of portion 72.

When it is desired to move the two .body portions into operative relationship with one another as shown in the drawings, the upper body portion 14 may be positioned over the lower body portion, and then the upper body portion 14 may be moved into the operative position shown which movement will result in a camming outwardly of the locking arm portions due to the intercooperation of the sloping outer surfaces 60 and the curved outer cam surface 74. When the two body portions have reached the relative relationship shown in FIG. 4, the lock po-rtions 72 will snap inwardly into the position shown wherein the upper surface thereof will engage the downwardly facing lock shoulder 72 formed on body portion 12. It is apparent that in this position, the two body portions are securely locked to one another.

As seen in FIG. 3, a cut-out portion 78 is formed in the upper body portion 14 adjacent the depending locking arm portions 70-, these cutout portions 78 cooperating with the aforementioned cutout areas 30 and 32 formed in body portion 12 to provide spaces for receiving a flexible tube extending through the body means.

While the upper body member 14 has been indicated as having a pair of arm portions 70, it should also be understood that this upper body portion can be provided with a pair of locking arm portions at each side thereof and depending therefrom with an opening formed between the locking arm portions at either side of the body means so that the tubing can be passed into and out of the body means through such central openings defined between a pair of locking arm portions at either side of the body means.

As seen particularly in FIG. 5, the under-surface of the upper body portion 14 is provided with four spaced recesses 40', 42', 44' and 46 which are adapted to receive the upwardly extendingprojections 40, 42, 44 and 46 respectively. It is apparent that with this arrangement, the two body portions can only be assembled in the operative relationship shown, it being impossible to assemble them in any other relationship wherein the two body portions will snap together in the intended manner. The cooperating projections and recesses also serve to keep the two body portions in such a relationship that no lateral movement or any movement for that matter can occur therebetween. This provides additional assurance that the dimensional gaps between the ends of the tooth members hereinafter described and a cooperating projection on the body means will remain uniform and constant during operation of the apparatus regardless of internal pressures developed therewithin when a tube is clamped within the body means. 7

As seen particularly in FIG. 2, the upper surface of meat body portion 14 may be provided with suitable indicia as indicated generally by reference numeral 80, the indicia being numbered from zero to nine in consecutive order although any suitable numbering may be employed, the zero position representing the closed position as shown on FIG. 2, and the number nine position representing the full open position as indicated on this figure. The operating handle is adapted to be moved such that a portion thereof can be aligned with various ones of raised elongated portions 82 which extend upwardly out of the plane of member 14 and which are aligned with the various indicia previously mentioned whereby the operating means can be moved to any desired setting.

The upper surface of the upper body portion 14 is also provided with a plurality of spaced grooves 84 which as seen more particularly in FIG. 9 are generally V-shaped in cross sectional configuration, and the operation and utilization of these grooves will be hereinafter described. It is apparent that grooves 84 may be of various configuration and that other equivalent structures such as round depressions can be employed for a similar purpose.

As pointed out previously, the lower or undersurface of body portion 12 may be provided with suitable scales in order to apprise an operator of the proper setting as indicated by the indicia on member 14 for any given condition. These scales are of course only optional, and may be eliminated if desired.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 2 and 4, the operating means indicated generally by reference numeral 16 includes an elongated handle portion 90 being knurled at opposite sides thereof as indicated by reference numerals 92, the handle portion terminating in an enlarged end portion 94 which is also knurled as indicated by reference numeral 96. It is apparent that this affords a means for readily grasping the handle portion and moving it by hand. A depending projection or detent portion 100- is provided on the undersurface of handle portion 90 as seen particularly in FIG. 9, this depending projection being adapted to fit snugly within the grooves 84 previously described and being of complementary configuration. The intercooperation of portion 100 with the grooves 84 will serve to positively lock the operating means in a desired operative position until it is necessary to change the setting. It will be understood that there is a groove 84 corresponding to each of the indicia zero through nine inclusive so as to enable the operating means to be locked in operative position in alignment with any one of the indicia previously described.

The top surface of the elongated handle portion includes a relatively sharp ridge 102 which terminates in a tapered indicating point 104 which is adapted to be aligned with one of the raised portions 82 as seen most clearly in FIG. 2 to afford a good visual indication of the alignment of the handle portion with the indicia. V

The operating means includes a central hub portion indicated generally by reference numeral 110 which is fitted within the central hole 111 provided through the body portion 14, hub 110 having a bore 112 formed therein which is adapted to receive the central support portion 20 formed on the lower body portion 12 as seen most clearly in FIG. 7. It will be apparent that with this interrelationship, the operating means is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis extending through the the apparatus, and as seen particularly in FIG. 6, it will be noted that the tube is adapted to be clamped between various ones of the tooth members and the inwardly extending projection 36 provided on the body portion 12. As seen in FIG. 6, the flexible tube 18 is clamped between tooth member 128 and the projection 36.

As indicated in FIG. 8, each of the tooth members 120 through 132 inclutive includes an outer engaging end portion or face, the engaging end portions of each of the tooth members being provided with the same reference numeral primed. Each of the engaging end portions 120'132' of the tooth members 120-132 respectively comprises a flat land, and these lands are spaced at different distances from the axis of rotation xx of the operating means, and furthermore certain ones of these flat engaging end portions define differing slopes with respect to a line drawn parallel to the axis of rotation as hereinafter explained.

The midpoints of each of the tube engaging end portions of each of the tooth members as defined between the upper edges of the teeth adjacent the undersurface of body portion 14 and the lower edges of the teeth adjacent the bottom wall of body portion 12 are in each case adapted to define a particular gap with the projection '36 on body portion 12 when the associated tooth is disposed at its closest point of proximity to projection 36. In other words, each of the engaging end portions will define a gap with the projection 36, and the tube 18 is adapted to be clamped in this gap to control the amount of fiow which will be permitted through the tube.

The engaging end portion of tooth member 132 has the midpoint along the engaging end portion disposed closest to the axis of rotation of the operating means, and the engaging end portion of tooth member 120 has the midpoint thereof disposed at the greatest distance from the axis of rotation of the operating means. The teeth intermediate members 132 and 120 are positioned so as to have the midpoints thereof progressively farther away from the axis of rotation when proceeding from toot-h member 132 to tooth member 130 to tooth member 128 and so forth. In a typical example, the teeth members may define the following gaps with the surface of inwardly extending projection 36. Tooth member 120 may have a gap of .045 inch; tooth member 122 may have a gap of .046 inch; tooth member 125 may have a center of the support portion 20, as indicated by letters gap of .047 inch; tooth member 126 may have a gap of .048 inch; tooth member 128 may have a gap of .049 inch; tooth member 130 may have a gap of .050 inch; and tooth member 132 may have a gap of .051 inch. In the example set forth above, it is assumed that the tubing has a wall thickness of .025 inch. With this thick ness, the gap of .045 inch represents a gap at which the tubing will be completely shut off. This shut-off gap should be approximately 10 to 15 percent less than twice the thickness of the wall tubing to assure that no liquid can flow through the tube. It is accordingly apparent that the gaps as set forth hereinabove will be governed according to the thickness of the tubing employed with the apparatus.

In accordance with the above, it will be apparent that tooth defines the smallest gap with the projection 36, and accordingly is adapted to create the greatest restriction of flow through the hollow tube. The tooth member 120 is 'actuallyde'signed so as to completely close off the tube to prevent any liquid from flowing therethrough. On the other hand, tooth member 132 is adaptedtoprovide the maximum gap with projection 36 whereby affording the minimum restriction to flow through the tube. It is apparent that the tube will be open to its fullest extent When the operating means is moved to the position wherein flat surface 118 on the operating means engages the limit stop means 28 of the body means. On the other hand, it will be apparent that the apparatus is moved to its full closed position when the flat surface 116 on the operating means engages the limit stop means 26 on the body means as indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 6 and whereat the tooth member 120 will be disposed in position to be directly opposite projection 36 and to shut off flow of liquid through the tube. While the limit stop means has been illustrated as comprising interengaging surfaces on the operating means and the body means, it is apparent that this limit stop means may be of different construction. For example, a pair of bosses may be provided on the upper body portion 14 and extending upwardly therefrom, these bosses being adapted to engage cutout areas and stop surfaces provided on the operating handle of the apparatus.

As seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the centers of the various tooth members as seen from a plan view may be angularly spaced from one another by an angle of approximately 10 degrees, and as noted above, the differential in gap defined between the engaging end portions of the various tooth members is of a uniform nature such that variations in the liquid flow can be obtained in a uniform predetermined manner.

The outer flat lands of the tooth members or in other words the engaging end portions, are also disposed in a particular angular relationship with respect to the axis of rotation of the operating means. The engaging end portion 120 is formed along a line which is parallel with the axis of rotation of the operating means. The engaging end portion 122' defines an angle of -5() with respect to a line extending parallel with the axis of rotation of the operating means. Engaging end portion 124 may have a slope so as to define an angle of approximately 115' with respect to a line drawn parallel with the axis of rotation x-x. Engaging end portions 126', 128', 130', and 132' may respectively define angles of 230', 345, 5 and 545' with respect to a line extending parallel with the axis of rotation x-x of the operating means.

With this over-all arrangement of the tooth members of the operating means, it is apparent that rotation of the operating means with respect to the body means will serve to either clamp the tube tighter within the apparatus to restrict the flow' therethrough, or to move in the opposite direction and allow a greater amount of liquid to flow through the tube. The tooth members are specifically designed so as to provide progressively less flow through the tube in one direction of rotation of the operating means and to provide progressively increase flow of liquid through the tube in the other direction of rotation, all flow through the tube being shut off in the closed position of the apparatus, and the flow through the tube being free when the apparatus is moved to its open position.

Referring now particularly to FIG. of the drawings, a modification of the invention is illustrated wherein parts similar to those previously described are given the same reference numerals primed. It will be noted that a handle portion 90' corresponds to the handle portion 90 previously described, and the body portion 12' is provided with a projection 36, all of these elements being identical with the similar parts previously described.

The handle means 90' is connected with a hub portion 150 similar to the hub portion 110 previously described, hub portion 150 having a suitable bore formed therein which is adapted to receive the central support portion similar to portion 20 provided on the lower body means 12' thereby pivotally supporting the operating handle in position.

The hub portion 150 includes a radially outwardly extending tube engaging means indicated generally by reference numeral 152, this tube engaging means having a cam surface 154 formed on the outer surface thereof which is eccentric to the axis of rotation of the handle and the operating means in general.

It will be understood that the outer surface of the cam surface 154 is generated along a line which would correspond to a surface passing through the outer tube engaging portions of the various tooth members provided on the operating means previously described. The provision of this type of a smooth cam surface is not considered as desirable as the arrangement previously described since the provision of the tooth members is more sensitive and accurate.

In all other respects, the arrangement shown in FIG. 10 will operate in a manner similar to that previously described, and the operating means may be rotated for selectively opening or closing the apparatus so as to permit flow or to stop flow through the associated tube.

When it is desired to assemble the apparatus of the present invention, the operating means 16 is firstly mounted in operative position with respect to the body portion 14 by extending the elongated handle and central boss portion 110 thereof through the hole 111 provided in body portion 14. Body portion 14 is then assembled in operative locked relationship to body portion 12 by pressing the two body portions toward one another and causing the locking arm portions to snap into the operative position as shown in FIG. 4. The flexible tube may then be threaded through the body means by inserting it in the cutout portion provided at one side of the body means and out through the cutout portion provided at the opposite side of the body means, the operating means being held in its full open position to facilitate such threading of the tube through the body means. If desired, when initially assembling the apparatus, the tube may be placed within body portion 12 before body portion 14 is snapped into operative position.

The apparatus is then ready for use, and after determining the proper setting, the handle portion may be moved by lifting it slightly to disengage the projection on the bottom portion of the handle from one of the grooves 84, and the handle can then be moved into the proper position whereupon it can be released and its natural resilience will return the projection 100 into one of the grooves 84 to lock the handle in position and to positively prevent accidental displacement thereof. As the handle is moved, the interengagement of projection 100 with various ones of the grooves 84 will provide an audible click which provides an additiOnal indication to the operator of the movement of the handle means. It is apparent thatthe drop flow may be visually observed for a particular setting of the apparatus, and this drop How may be checked against infusion rate values from appropriate tables provided for the apparatus.

It has been determined from actual tests that once a particular flow rate for a certain setting on the apparatus is determined, the device may be opened, closed and varied in flow rates and when the setting is again returned to the original value, the same flow rate will be provided. This is extremely advantageous and timesaving as compared With prior art screw type clamps. The apparatus can be operated and controlled with one hand, and responds substantially instantly to manual operation. The indicia on the apparatus act as gauges or settings for different flow rates.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided according to the present invention new and novel flow regulating apparatus which is particularly adapted for use with flexible tubular members to control liquid therethrough, this invention having special utility when utilized with intravenous injection systems, and the like. The operating means of the present invention employs a unique tooth member arrangement which enables accurate adjustment of the flow rate through an associated tube, these adjustments being made in incremental steps if desired. The handle means and the body means are provided with interengaging portions for positively maintaining the operating means in a particular adjusted position, thereby preventing accidental displacement of the apparatus from a desired setting. Limit stop means is provided for limiting movement of the operating means between an open position and a closed position. It is apparent that the apparatus may be readily assembled, and in particular the sloping arrangement of the side wall portions 60 of body portion 12 and the locking arm portions 70 provided on the body portion 14 enable the body portion 14 to be laid upon the body portion 12 and then simply pressed into the operative locked position. The aligning means in the form of the projections and recesses provided in the two body portions ensure that the body portions can only be assembled in the correct operative relationship. The apparatus is quite simple, compact and inexpensive in construction, and yet is quite efficient and reliable in use. I

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as Well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Flow regulating apparatus comprising a body means, said body means including means for receiving a flexible tube extending therethrough, and operating means movably supported by said body means, said operating means including a movable tube engaging means disposed within said body means for contacting one side of said tube, said body means including an inwardly extending tapered projection on the opposite side of the tube for cooperating with said tube engaging means to clamp said flexible tube therebetween at a predetermined point, said tube engaging means including a plurality of spaced separate projections, each of said separate projections including an engaging end portion, the end portions of said projections being spaced at different distances from the central portion of the apparatus and cooperating with said projection on the body means to define different gaps between individual ones of said end portions and said projection to selectively control the amount of liquid flowing through said tube operatively associated with the apparatus.

2. Flow regulating apparatus comprising a body means, said body means including means for receiving a flexible tube extending therethrough, said body means including a tube engaging tapered projection for contacting one side of said tube, and operating means pivotally supported by said body means and including tube engaging means on the other side of said tube for cooperating with said tube engaging portion on the body means to clamp said flexi ble tube therebetween, said operating means including a portion extending outwardly of said body means to facilitate manual manipulation of the apparatus, said tube engaging means including a plurality of separate tooth members, each of said tooth members including an engaging end portion for progressively engaging said flexible tube opposite said projection, the engaging end portions of the various tooth members being spaced at diflerent distances from the axis of rotation of the operating means and said tube engaging projection whereby movement of the operating means is 'adapted to progressively reduce or increase the amount of liquid flowing through said flexible tube operatively associated with the apparatus.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein certain of said engaging end portions of said tooth members define an angle with a line extending parallel with the axis of rotation of the operating means, the slope of said engaging end portion from said lines being progressively less as the distance of the end portions increases from said axis of rotation.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including detent means for operatively holding the outwardly extending portions of said operating means in fixed relationship with respect to said body means for maintaining the apparatus in a desired set position.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said detent means comprises a plurality of grooves formed in said body means, said outwardly extending portion of the operating means having a projection extending downwardly for engagement in said grooves,

6. Flow regulating apparatus comprising a relatively rigid body means, said body means including means for receiving a flexible tube extending through the body means, and operating means, said operating means including a support portion rotatably journalled within said body means, tube engaging means formed on said operating means and disposed within said body means and for contacting one side of said tube, said operating means including an elongated handle portion extending outwardly of said body means for facilitating manual'manipulation of the apparatus, said tube engaging means including a plurality of spaced outwardly extending tooth members each of which has an engaging end portion formed thereon for engaging said flexible tube disposed within said body means, said engaging end portions being progressively at greater distances from the axis of rotation of said operating means so as to permit said tube engaging means to progressively close off or open said tube extending through the body means, said body means having an inwardly extending tapering projection for contacting the opposite side of said tube and facing toward said tooth members and cooperating therewith for clamping said tube therebetween and predetermining the point of restriction of said tube, certain ones of said tooth members defining a slope with respect to a line extending parallel with the axis of rotation of the operating means, the slope of said engaging end portions being progressively less as the distance of the end portions from said axis of rotation increases, said operating means having a pair of stop surfiaces formed thereon, and said body means having stop means for engaging said stop surfaces to limit the movement of said operating means with respect to said body means.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the handle portion of said operating means is provided with an outwardly extending projection, said body means having a plurality of grooves formed in a surface thereof adjacent said handle portion such that said last-mentioned projection is adapted to fit in individual ones of said grooves to provide a detent means for holding the operating means in a desired operative set position.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said body means has formed on the outer surface thereof a plurality of indicia, said operating means including a means adapted to be aligned with said indicia for indicating to an observer the position of the tube engaging means within the body means whereby one is able to visually determine the amount or flow rate of liquid which will be permitted to flow through an associated tube.

9. Flow regulating apparatus comprising a body means formed of a pair of separate body portions which are adapted to be snapped together and locked in operative relationship, a first body portion including a central support portion, said first body portion having an inwardly extending tapered projection formed thereon engaging one side of a flexible tube operatively associated therewith, said first body portion having areas formed therein for receiving a flexible tube, said first body portion having spaced first and second limit stop means formed thereon, said first body portion having a plurality of projections extending therefrom to serve as aligning means, said first body portion having oppositely disposed sloping cam surfaces formed thereon and having lock shoulders disposed adjacent said cam surfaces, a second body portion having a central hole formed therein for receiving an operating means, said second body portion including locking arm portions having cam surfaces formed on the inner surfaces thereof and having laterally extending lock portions at one end thereof engaging said lock shoulders and retaining said second body portion in operative relationship with respect to said first body portion, said second body portion having areas formed therein receiving said flexible tube extending through the body means, said second body portion having a plurality of aligning means formed thereon to cooperate with the aligning means formed on the first body portion to ensure that the two body portions are assembled in the correct relationship, said second body portion having indicating means formed thereon and including detent lock means formed in one surface thereof, an operating means including a boss portion journalled on said central support portion of the first body portion, said operating means extending through the central hole in said second body portion and including an elongated handle portion adapted to be manually engaged, said elongated handle portion having detent means formed thereon positioned to cooperate with the detent lock means formed on the second body portion for locking the operating means in a desired operative position, said operating means having tube engaging means formed thereon and disposed within said body means and contacting the opposite side of the tube, said tube engaging means comprising a plurality of separate tooth members each of which has an engaging outer end portion positioned for engaging said tube and to clamp said tube between such engaging end portion and said inwardly extending projection formed on said first body portion, said operating means being mounted for rotation about an axis extending through the central support portion of said first body portion, the engaging end portions of said tooth members being disposed progressively greater distances from said axis of rotation of the operating means, and certain of said tooth members having the engaging end portions thereof defining a slope with a line extending substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of said operating means, said operating means having a pair of stop surfaces formed thereon adapted to engage the limit stop means formed on said first body portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner.

W. WEAKLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

9. FLOW REGULATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A BODY MEANS FORMED OF A PAIR OF SEPARATE BODY PORTIONS WHICH ARE ADAPTED TO BE SNAPPED TOGETHER AND LOCKED IN OPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP, A FIRST BODY PORTION INCLUDING A CENTRAL SUPPORT PORTION, SAID FIRST BODY PORTION HAVING AN INWARDLY EXTENDING TAPERED PROJECTION FORMED THEREON ENGAGING ONE SIDE OF A FLEXIBLE TUBE OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, SAID FIRST BODY PORTION HAVING AREAS FORMED THEREIN FOR RECEIVING A FLEXIBLE TUBE, SAID FIRST BODY PORTION HAVING SPACED FIRST AND SECOND LIMIT STOP MEANS FORMED THEREON, SAID FIRST BODY PORTION HAVING A PLURALITY OF PROJECTIONS EXTENDING THEREFROM TO SERVE AS ALIGNING MEANS, SAID FIRST BODY PORTION HAVING OPPOSITELY DISPOSED SLOPING CAM SURFACES FORMED THEREON AND HAVING LOCK SHOULDERS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID CAM SURFACES, A SECOND BODY PORTION HAVING A CENTRAL HOLE FORMED THEREIN FOR RECEIVING AN OPERATING MEANS, SAID SECOND BODY PORTION INCLUDING LOCKING ARM PORTIONS HAVING CAM SURFACES FORMED ON THE INNER SURFACES THEREOF AND HAVING LATERALLY EXTENDING LOCK PORTIONS AT ONE END THEREOF ENGAGING SAID LOCK SHOULDERS AND RETAINING SAID SECOND BODY PORTION IN OPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST BODY PORTION, SAID SECOND BODY PORTION HAVING AREAS FORMED THEREIN RECEIVING SAID FLEXIBLE TUBE EXTENDING THROUGH THE BODY MEANS, SAID SECOND BODY PORTION HAVING A PLURALITY OF ALIGNING MEANS FORMED THEREON TO COOPERATE WITH THE ALIGNING MEANS FORMED ON THE FIRST BODY PORTION TO ENSURE THAT THE TWO BODY PORTIONS ARE ASSEMBLED IN THE CORRECT RELATIONSHIP, SAID SECOND BODY PORTION HAVING INDICATING MEANS FORMED THEREON AND INCLUDING DETENT LOCK MEANS FORMED IN ONE SURFACE THEREOF, AN OPERATING MEANS INCLUDING A BOSS PORTION JOURNALLED ON SAID CENTRAL SUPPORT PORTION OF THE FIRST BODY PORTION, SAID OPERATING MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH THE CENTRAL HOLE IN SAID SECOND BODY PORTION AND INCLUDING AN ELONGATED HANDLE PORTION ADAPTED TO BE MANUALLY ENGAGED, SAID ELONGATED HANDLE PORTION HAVING DETENT MEANS FORMED THEREON POSITIONED TO COOPERATE WITH THE DETENT LOCK MEANS FORMED ON THE SECOND BODY PORTION FOR LOCKING THE OPERATING MEANS IN A DESIRED OPERATIVE POSITION, SAID OPERATING MENS HAVING TUBE ENGAGING MEANS FORMED THEREON AND DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BODY MEANS AND CONTACTING THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TUBE, SAID TUBE ENGAGING MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE TOOTH MEMBERS EACH OF WHICH HAS AN ENGAGING OUTER END PORTION POSITIONED FOR ENGAGING END PORTION AND SAID INWARDLY BETWEEN SUCH ENGAGING END PORTION AND SAID INWARDLY EXTENDING PROJECTION FORMED ON SAID FIRST BODY PORTION, SAID OPERATING MEANS BEING MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING THROUGH THE CENTRAL SUPPORT PORTION OF SAID FIRST BODY PORTION, THE ENGAGING END PORTIONS OF SAID TOOTH MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED PROGRESSIVELY GREATER DISTANCES FROM SAID AXIS OF ROTATION OF THE OPERATING MEANS, AND CERTAIN OF SAID TOOTH MEMBERS HAVING THE ENGAGING END PORTIONS THEREOF DEFINING A SLOPE WITH A LINE EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WITH THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID OPERATING MEANS, SAID OPERATING MEANS HAVING A PAIR OF STOP SURFACES FORMED THEREON ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE LIMIT STOP MEANS FORMED ON SAID FIRST BODY PORTION. 